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Dear volvomies,
Hope you're well. Have you checked for a fuel leak? If the car lives (or lived) where salt is used to melt snow/ice, an under-body fuel fitting - corroded - could leak fuel. While the car's moving, the air stream will evaporate the gasoline, so you will not see any sign of a leak.
To find a gas leak, inspect the metal fittings at either end of the fuel filter. Wrap them in clean, white paper towel and tape the towel into place. Drive the car. If there's a leak at one of these fittings, the white paper towel will be discolored by the leaking fuel.
A gas tank leak is not likely unless caused by road-hazard damage: these Volvos' fuel tanks are plastic, about 6.5mm (1/4" thick).
Another possibility is that the transmission fluid is worn-out. Does the car climb hills smoothly or does it seem sluggish when climbing hills?
Pull out the transmission dipstick and wipe off the fluid with a clean white paper towel.. Fresh automatic transmission fluid (ATF) is a clear, rosy pink. If the ATF is dark red - or worse, even brown or black - the ATF needs to be replaced.
See this site's FAQs for how to flush-out the old ATF. If available in your area, Mobil 1 synthetic ATF is a good choice. Otherwise, any "Type F" (Dexron/Mercon) ATF will work properly.
Hope this helps.
Yours faithfully,
Spook
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